What are the parts of a sentence? – a subject and predicate. Learn what they are, the definition of a subject and predicate, and their types in this article. Furthermore, look at the multiple examples given to clearly understand what a subject and predicate are.
The term ‘subject’ refers to the doer of the action in a sentence. It is either a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a subject is defined as “a noun, noun phrase or pronoun representing the person or thing that performs the action of the verb (I in I sat down.), about which something is stated (the house in the house is very old) or, in a passive sentence, that is affected by the action of the verb (the tree in the tree was blown down in the storm)”.
Sentences can have more than one subject. It can either be a compound subject or two completely different subjects performing various actions in the same context. Unlike other sentences, imperative sentences do not require a subject to make sense. In addition to nouns, pronouns and noun phrases, gerunds and gerund phrases can also perform the role of subjects in sentences.
Go through the following sentences. The subject in each sentence has been underlined for your reference.
A predicate contains the verb that represents the action done by the subject, the receiver of the action, other information about the subject, the verb or the time/place of the action and so on. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a predicate as “a part of a sentence containing a verb that makes a statement about the subject of the verb, such as went home in John went home.”
Predicates are of different types – they can be one-word predicates, short predicates, long predicates, or compound predicates. Take a look at the following examples for a clearer understanding. The predicates have been underlined for your reference.
Identify the subject and predicate in the following sentences.
1. A cat was sleeping under the parked car.
2. I received three new dresses for my birthday.
3. My son started walking today.
4. We had to wash our clothes.
5. I missed my bus yesterday.
6. They had gulab jamun for dessert.
7. She invited all her friends to her wedding.
8. Three children did not go on the field trip organised by the school.
9. The teacher asked the students to stay quiet.
10. It started raining around noon.
Check out the answers for the above exercise.
1. Subject – A cat
Predicate – Was sleeping under the parked car.
Predicate – Received three new dresses for my birthday.
3. Subject – My son
Predicate – Started walking today.
Predicate – Had to wash our clothes.
Predicate – Missed my bus yesterday.
6. Subject – They
Predicate – Had gulab jamun for dessert.
Predicate – Invited all her friends to her wedding.
8. Subject – Three children
Predicate – Did not go on the field trip organised by the school.
9. Subject – The teacher
Predicate – Asked the students to stay quiet.
Predicate – Started raining around noon.
The term ‘subject’ refers to the doer of the action in a sentence. It is either a noun, a pronoun or a noun phrase.
According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a subject is defined as “a noun, noun phrase or pronoun representing the person or thing that performs the action of the verb (I in I sat down.), about which something is stated (the house in the house is very old) or, in a passive sentence, that is affected by the action of the verb (the tree in the tree was blown down in the storm)”.
A sentence can have more than one subject and predicate. It can either be a compound subject/predicate or two completely different subjects performing various actions in the same context.
A predicate contains the verb that represents the action done by the subject, the receiver of the action, other information about the subject, the verb or the time/place of the action and so on.
Predicates are of different types – they can be one-word predicates, short predicates, long predicates or compound predicates.